Step #2. Ask class to reiterate the difference between verbal irony and sarcasm.

Step #3. Have each student read aloud a line of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan. (If you have less than thirty-two students, some lucky students will get to read two lines. If you have more than thirty-two students, your students’ parents should sue the local school board.)

Step #5. Ask students if they have ever said mean and angry things to someone during a romantic breakup. Ask them why anyone would ever want to hurt someone with whom he has shared a special part of his life. (You will probably get some interesting answers.)

Step #6. Number students off into groups of no more than three. Instruct each group to list at least six examples of sarcasm from the song and explain their answers.

Step #7. Collect student work and review it as a whole-class activity.

Additional lyrics that can be used to discuss verbal irony:

Consider the following lines from “Troublemaker” by Weezer

I’m such a mystery As anyone can see There isn’t anybody else Exactly quite like me And when it’s party time Like 1999 I’ll party by myself because I’m such a special guy